Kmflett's Blog

Beard Liberation Front

Media Release

5th August

Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266

Late Ted Kelsey (Joe Grundy) & Charles Darwin join London Beard Week 2020,Best Ever London Beard poll

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that the late actor Ted Kelsey who played Joe Grundy in the Archers amongst others well-known roles has joined the Best Ever Beard of London vote, following social media representations

Kelsey was born in Hampshire and recorded the Archers in Birmingham but in a long life he was often to be found fulfilling important commitments in London:

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/apr/25/edward-kelsey-obituary

The vote is part of London Beard Week which began on 4th August and marks the continued growth of beards in the Capital.

The campaigners say that aside from the many more beards seen in parks, shops and pubs, there is also a growth of specialist beard care shops and hairdressers offering beard trims and treatments, although the BLF is advising against beard trims in barbers shops for the moment.

London Beard Week is a celebration of London, now one of the most beard friendly Capital cities in the world, and of London’s great hirsute heritage from Charles Dickens to Karl Marx through to modern day beards such as England football captain Harry Kane and author and Arsenal fan Michael Rosen.

As part of the week the BLF is running a poll to find the most impactful and impressive figure with a beard who is associated with London.

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, Whether its historic beards like Karl Marx and W G Grace or more recent ones like Ted Kelsey and Bernie Grant London has long been a capital of beard wearers.

Notes

The vote closes at midday on 7^th August. Names can be added via write-in votes.1% of the total votes cast will be sufficient to add someone to the vote.

Not all great London beard wearers are included. For example Charles Darwin is now on the poll this year. In 2018 however he came bottom with 1.91% of the vote, being shaved by Michael Rosen with 1.92%

https://kmflett.wordpress.com/2018/08/03/london-beard-week-vote-for-the-best-ever-london-beard/

 

London Beard Week poll to find London’s Best Ever Beard.

The Best Ever London Beard 2020

Sigmund Freud, d Hampstead

Darcus Howe, anti-racist campaigner

Bernie Grant, Tottenham MP

Charles Dickens, author

Karl Marx, philosopher and activist

WG Grace, cricketer d Mottingham

Michael Rosen, author & broadcaster

William Morris, socialist & designer

Harry Kane, footballer b Walthamstow

William Cuffay, Leader of London Chartism

Keir Hardie, London Labour MP

Richard Thompson, singer & composer

Jeremy Corbyn, London Labour MP

Edward Lear, writer

William Booth, Salvationist

Ted Kelsey, actor

Charles Darwin, scientist